§ Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of people who have lost their lives on British beaches during each of the past five years; and if he will seek powers to compel all local authorities to install a flag warning system.
§ Mr. David LaneDeaths from accidental drowning, not involving boats, in the coastal waters of England and Wales were as follows:
Year Number 1968 124 1969 121 1970 119 1971 108 1972 108 (provisional) A flag warning system was among the measures recommended in a guide on the prevention of drowning accidents prepared by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and circulated to local authorities by the Home Office in 1969. My right hon. Friend is not convinced that compulsion is needed here, but this is one of the points that will be considered by the working party on drowning accidents which he announced on 14th November.—[Vol 864, c. 175.]